WSO Concerned by Ongoing Arrest & Detention of Sikhs in Punjab

OTTAWA, CANADA – The World Sikh Organization of Canada stated that they were deeply concerned by the ongoing arbitrary arrest and detention of Sikhs across Punjab in recent days, and urged India not to disregard the basic human rights of its citizens.

The organization stated in a press release that Sikhs who attended the November 10th gathering or others “who were involved in the mass protests against the desecration of Sri Guru Granth Sahib are being arrested by the Punjab Police and detained under various sections of the Indian Penal Code including sedition and apprehension of breach of peace.”

The World Sikh Oganization’s President Dr. Amritpal Singh Shergill stated that “the arbitrary harassment, arrest and detention of Sikhs in Punjab on the grounds that they attended peaceful protests and rallies is unacceptable.ÿ The Punjab Police is routinely arresting Sikhs under section 107/151 of the Indian Penal Code which only requires an ?apprehension? of breach of peace at a future date.ÿ

Raids are taking place across Punjab at the homes of Sikh leaders and activists, their families are being harassed and they are being arbitrarily held for no fault but exercising their right to protest.”

“If India prides itself as being the world’s largest democracy, it cannot disregard the basic human rights of its citizens.ÿ Those individuals who are being detained simply for engaging in peaceful protest or exercising their right to freedom of speech must be released immediately.”, stated Dr. Shergill.

"Freedom of Expression is a Human Right"
Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right as stated in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:

"Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers."